Inactivated bluetongue virus vaccine in lambs: differential serological responses related to breed

A mixed breed flock of lambs, consisting of Suffolks, Hampshires, Columbias and Finnish breeds, were vaccinated with binary ethylenimine inactivated blue-tongue virus (BTV) serotypes 11, 17 and a mixture of 11 and 17 in aluminum hydroxide. Agar gel precipitin antibodies were used as an indicator of immunity. Sero-conversion of Hampshires and Suffolk lambs was poor at 43% as compared to 84% in the Columbia and Finn lambs. These results indicate a breed difference in immunological response to inactivated BTV vaccine.